Magnetostrictive path measuring apparatus and method of manufacturing a measuring probe of a magnetostrictive path measuring apparatus

Abstract

A magnetostrictive displacement measuring apparatus is proposed, comprising at least one measuring probe which is of flexurally flexible configuration and comprises a waveguide, and comprising a magnetic position marker which couples to the at least one measuring probe in a non-contact manner, wherein the waveguide is supported in an elastic, flexible support tube and the flexible support tube is positioned in a carrier tube, wherein the flexible support tube is, on an outer side thereof, provided with indentations facing the carrier tube and wherein material of the carrier tube is arranged in the indentations.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Magnetostrictive path measuring apparatus, comprising:
 at least one measuring probe which is of flexurally flexible configuration and comprises a waveguide; and 
 a magnetic position marker which couples to the at least one measuring probe in a non-contact manner, wherein the waveguide is supported in an elastic, flexible support tube and the flexible support tube is positioned in a carrier tube; 
 wherein the flexible support tube is, on an outer side thereof, provided with indentations facing the carrier tube and wherein material of the carrier tube is arranged in the indentations. 
 
     
     
       2. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein material of the carrier tube fills the indentations completely. 
     
     
       3. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the carrier tube is connected to the flexible support tube by form-locking via material of the carrier tube in the indentations of the flexible support tube. 
     
     
       4. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the carrier tube is made of a fibre composite material. 
     
     
       5. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein fibres of the fibre-reinforced composite material are oriented in a longitudinal axis of the carrier tube. 
     
     
       6. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein fibres in the fibre composite material are arranged in strands of fibre. 
     
     
       7. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the flexible support tube is made of an electrically insulating material. 
     
     
       8. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the at least one measuring probe comprises an electrical return conductor which is at least one of (i) embedded in the flexible support tube; (ii) embedded in the carrier tube; and (iii) arranged between the flexible support tube and the carrier tube. 
     
     
       9. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the return conductor comprises an electrical insulation sheath. 
     
     
       10. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the waveguide is arranged co-centrically with respect to the flexible support tube, wherein the return conductor is eccentrically arranged relative to the flexible support tube. 
     
     
       11. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the carrier tube surrounds the flexible support tube completely with respect to a circumferential direction. 
     
     
       12. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is arranged co-centrically with respect to the carrier tube. 
     
     
       13. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein indentations on the flexible support tube are arranged regularly in a longitudinal axis of the flexible support tube. 
     
     
       14. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein indentations on the flexible support tube are formed completely or partially around the circumference of the flexible support tube with respect to a circumferential direction. 
     
     
       15. Path measuring apparatus in accordance  claim 1 , wherein the indentations on the flexible support tube are formed by the latter being mechanically acted upon by an embossing tool. 
     
     
       16. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein material of the carrier tube that is placed in the indentations is integrally connected to the remainder of the material of the carrier tube. 
     
     
       17. Path measuring apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the flexible support tube is connected to the carrier tube via a pultrusion method.